QNAP NAS Community Forum

Hello,
I have question related to this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSKQzPGzErY
If I set something similar in QNAP TS-231P, does someone who are logged into NAS by myQNAPcloud (outside local network), are able to navigate through files (.jpg files to be specific), in the impression that these files are on the disk while they are not? Of course, everything under the slowdown resulting from access to files via the Internet. I mean without downloading them, as on mapped FTP in network location (windows 10).
Do I need OpenVPN for that?

Second question is, can I set rights to specific myQNAPcloud user, who are logged in to my NAS, which folders are visible and which not.

that is currently (more than normal) a VERY bad idea, do not expose your NAS to the web

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=150861

I have spent whole day on research and now Im not sure if I even want to buy NAS. Anyway, could you answer my question?

to connect to your NAS use a VPN connection. The server can be setup via NAS or (VPN capable) router

if you want to set it up on the NAS, here is an official guide
https://www.qnap.com/en/how-to/tutorial ... -qvpn-2-0/

user management is the same no matter if local or VPN users access the files. (all described in the manual)

Thank you,
What about navigate through files? Is something like click *next*, *next* is avaible? While I have mapped FTP, *open* on .jpg files performs download file on disk. I hope you know what I mean.

Ok, so for "safe" use of NAS I need VPN. Do I need more than one VPN? I mean how many numbers of device I need to purchase? More than one for my Router/NAS if I want to connect by lots of devices?

as soon as the VPN connection is established, you can navigate the NAS the same way as in your local network (even the IP remains the same, so you can keep existing drive maps from the local network)

keid91 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2019 4:55 am Ok, so for "safe" use of NAS I need VPN. Do I need more than one VPN? I mean how many numbers of device I need to purchase? More than one for my Router/NAS if I want to connect by lots of devices?

To clarify: @dolbyman is not suggesting you use a paid VPN service provider. He's instead suggesting you create your own free VPN server instance on your LAN.

Lets say:
Router without VPN
QNAP NAS with VPN
Dekstop (local network) without VPN
Laptop (external network) without VPN

If I connect to NAS by IP on laptop (mapped network localisation). Is that connection safe?

OneCD wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2019 5:07 am To clarify: @dolbyman is not suggesting you use a paid VPN service provider. He's instead suggesting you create your own free VPN server instance on your LAN.

Do you mean QNAP provide create VPN server? In this case IP would change, so mapping disk wouldnt be achieved without problems. Thats why I wanted to use myqnapcloud.

as you can see in the guide I posted a link to earlier, qnap provides multiple VPN servers (PPTP,IPsec,OpenVPN)

as as mentioned earlier, the internal IP of your NAS is reachable via the VPN connection


so, let's say your NAS is 192.168.1.100, that IP will be accessible from LAN users and VPN users the same way

you can still use myqnapcloud for your DDNS (unless you have a fixed IP at your NAS location)

So if I set VPN server on NAS, do I need VPN on devices (external network) to connect to NAS?

dolbyman wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2019 5:19 amyou can still use myqnapcloud for your DDNS (unless you have a fixed IP at your NAS location)

In first post you wrote its bad idea.
Well I think Im confused now. Did you want to say in first post, that I shouldn't use myqnapcloud without setting VPN on NAS?

keid91 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2019 5:37 am So if I set VPN server on NAS, do I need VPN on devices (external network) to connect to NAS?

Yes of course

keid91 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2019 5:37 am
In first post you wrote its bad idea.
Well I think Im confused now. Did you want to say in first post, that I shouldn't use myqnapcloud without setting VPN on NAS?

A connection without a VPN (exposing FTP,HTTP,etc to the WWW) is a BAD idea , that doesn't stop people from doing it .. and then they get hacked

Ok to sum up.

- I can set VPN on QNAP for free.
- I can connect to QNAP by given IP from VPN (it will by dynamic right?) on devices with VPN.
- I can still use myQNAPcloud (while VPN is set), but I can only connect on devices with VPN, if I want to connect safely.

So I have to pay for:
VPN on all devices I want to connect with NAS if VPN is set on NAS

keid91 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2019 6:01 am Ok to sum up.

- I can set VPN on QNAP for free.
- I can connect to QNAP by given IP from VPN (it will by dynamic right?) on devices with VPN.
- I can still use myQNAPcloud (while VPN is set), but I can only connect on devices with VPN, if I want to connect safely.

- correct
- depends if your IP is dynamic or fixed, if dynamic use a DDNS (you could use QNAPcloud DDNS)
- see above, only use VPN do not expose any other services

keid91 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2019 6:01 am So I have to pay for:
VPN on all devices I want to connect with NAS if VPN is set on NAS

nothing you have to pay for

So how can I use VPN on laptop (external network), to connect with NAS using "myQNAPcloud Connect" without paying for VPN on laptop?

Crucial question, becasue I think you mistunderstood me. I wanted to install "myQNAPcloud Connect" on laptop. Doesnt this app provide VPN connect to NAS?

only thing you have to pay for, is the laptop and however you use the internet (wifi hotspot of Starbucks, 4G,LTE,5G,etc .. be aware that some mobile providers block VPN to make extra $$$ on their business plans)


no need for any qnap program to install, the normal openVPN connect app works just fine
https://openvpn.net/client-connect-vpn-for-windows/